Iranian PM Zarif Calls on Unconditional Lifting of All Sanction as US Retreats From Some Anti-Iran Steps
Zarif calls on unconditional lifting of all sanctions as US retreats from some anti-Iran steps
Feb 19, 2021 11:36 UTC
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called on the Joe Biden administration to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on Iran under former US president Donald Trump after the US retreated from some of Trump’s anti-Iran measures.
“US acknowledged Pompeo’s claims re Res. 2231 had no legal validity,” Zarif wrote in a tweet on Friday, hours after the Biden administration rescinded Trump’s alleged restoration of UN sanctions on Iran back in September, which fell short of garnering enough support at the UN Security Council in the first place.
“US unconditionally & effectively lift all sanctions imposed, re-imposed or re-labeled by Trump,” Zarif said. “We will then immediately reverse all remedial measures.”
In a letter to the UN Security Council on behalf of Biden on Thursday, acting US Ambassador Richard Mills said the United States “hereby withdraws” three letters from the Trump administration culminating in its announcement on September 19 that the US had reimposed UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
‘Gestures are fine’ but US has to lift sanctions
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh later responded to the US move, which he called a mere “gesture” and said the US must lift sanctions in order to revive the JCPOA.
“Remember, Trump left the room and tried to blow it up,” Khatibzadeh tweeted. “Gestures are fine. But to revive P5+1, US must Act: LIFT sanctions.”
